Flyers Lose in Shootout to Blues

In 1899, the state of Missouri earned the nickname of being “The Show Me State” after a speech made by Congressman Willard Vandiver (in Philadelphia of all places).

On Tuesday night at the Scottrade Center, the Flyers and Blues did just that as St. Louis defeated the Flyers 1-0 in a shootout.

In a game marked by plenty of offensive chances for both teams, goaltending was the true standout star of the night. Recently acquired goaltender Ryan Miller and Flyers back up Ray Emery put on a show in what was a scenario not seen very much in today’s NHL.

The shutout for Miller was his first since March 21, 2012 while Emery’s was his second of the season (and first since Nov. 20 against New Jersey).

The only difference between the two net minders on the night was the shootout, which saw T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk score to put the game away for the Blues. Miller, with something he made a habit of all night, stopped Vincent Lecavalier and Claude Giroux in impressive fashion.

The two biggest saves of the night from Miller came on chances from Flyers forward Michael Raffl.

Early on in the first period, Philadelphia found itself with a 2-on-0 opportunity as Alex Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk got caught up and collided with each other. Giroux carried the puck into the offensive zone, and instead of shooting the puck, decided to pass it to Raffl, who was stoned by Miller.

Giroux failed to register a point for the second game in a row, the first time that has happened since Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 against Calgary and Colorado respectively.

At the 2:48 mark of the second period, Miller did it again. Raffl received another pass for a one-timer, but Miller slid across the crease, flashed the left pad and robbed Raffl of what looked like a sure goal.

Jakub Voracek had a golden opportunity to help the Flyers pick up their second victory over the Blues in less than two weeks but Miller used his pads one more time to keep that from happening.

While Emery was just as good at the other end of the ice, luck was on his side to help keep the Blues scoreless.

Nine seconds into the second period, Jaden Schwartz took a Braydon Coburn turnover and fired it off the crossbar just above Emery’s left shoulder. With 17 seconds left in the second, St. Louis hit yet another post, this time off a Pietrangelo shot from the slot.

The game marked the first time in franchise history that the Flyers faced two different 50-win teams in back to back games. The pace and back-and-forth play gave it a playoff feel, similar to that in the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday against Boston.

Though facing tough competition, and unfortunately coming up short, the Flyers still grabbed a point in each matchup. With only seven games remaining in the season, points are the most important thing for the team as they inch closer to clinching a playoff spot.

Philadelphia has now earned 21 of a possible 30 points since March 1, and its magic number to clinch a playoff spot now sits at six points, which includes any combination of points won by the Flyers or lost by the Washington Capitals.